Arsenal star hailed ‘second best in the world’ behind Ballon d’Or winner

By Ngozi Eze — 27 July 2026 — 4 min read

Rodri, the Spain captain, recently lifted the World Cup trophy in New Jersey, adding to his collection of accolades. His achievements now include a Ballon d’Or, a European Championship title, a Nations League, four Premier League trophies, and a Champions League, among other domestic triumphs. This latest victory marks Spain‘s first World Cup win since 2010, securing a second star for the national team’s shirt.

During the tournament, Rodri was also named player of the tournament. He now stands as only the fourth male player to have won the World Cup, Euros, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or, joining the ranks of Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer, and Zinedine Zidane.

Despite his current success, Rodri‘s journey has not been without challenges. He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2024, shortly after Spain‘s Euros triumph. This injury led to questions about his ability to return to his previous form, which saw him clinch the Treble with Manchester City in 2023 and the Euros with Spain a year later. The recovery process from such a significant injury is often lengthy, and he featured sporadically last season for Manchester City, making 33 appearances across all competitions.

Spain‘s coach, De La Fuente, praised Rodri‘s performance, stating that doubting him was an insult to football intelligence. De La Fuente referred to Rodri as the best player in the world in his position. He also highlighted Martin Zubimendi, who he considers the second best in the world, as a key player behind Rodri.

Zubimendi played a significant role in Arsenal‘s Premier League title win last term, which was his debut campaign in English football. The Spanish player participated in all 38 league games, scoring five goals as the Gunners secured their first title since 2003.

Rodri‘s future at Manchester City is currently uncertain, with only one year remaining on his contract. Real Madrid is reportedly interested in acquiring the midfielder, with returning manager Jose Mourinho said to be keen on his composure, defensive ability, and ball control. While new City boss Enzo Maresca is unlikely to want to part with Rodri, his performance at the World Cup has made him a highly sought-after player.

The midfielder’s recovery from his ACL injury involved a logical process. He noted that it typically takes a year to regain peak fitness and another year to feel fully like oneself again as a player. Rodri emphasized the importance of patience and self-belief during this period. A conversation with former City boss Pep Guardiola, where Rodri expressed the need to rest to prepare for the World Cup, was pivotal in his recovery trajectory.

Guardiola had predicted in October of the previous year that Rodri would not be at his best until the World Cup. Rodri‘s performance in the tournament, where he completed 756 passes, the most in a single edition on record since 1966, validated this prediction. He featured in all eight of Spain‘s matches, leading in touches (910), passes in the opposition half (428), and line-breaking passes (122), including 76 in the final third.

In the World Cup final, Rodri completed 101 passes, making him one of only three players on record since 1966 to complete over 100 passes in a World Cup final. The others are Brazil‘s Dunga in 1994 with 130 passes, and defender Pau Cubarsi with 121 passes in the same tournament. Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague described Rodri‘s performance as outstanding, highlighting his high average of passes to beat defenders and his Ballon d’Or level of play.

Spain‘s recent success under De La Fuente also includes their Euro 2024 victory, where they defeated Sir Gareth Southgate’s England in the final in Berlin, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring a late winner. The midfield during the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States featured Rodri as the anchor, supported by Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo, who provided creative input. Barcelona‘s young players, Pedri and Gavi, competed for the two No. 8 positions, while Zubimendi served as a backup to Rodri in defensive midfield.

Rodri‘s World Cup Golden Ball award, following his 2024 Ballon d’Or, was met with some debate among fans regarding its merit. However, De La Fuente defended the decision, emphasizing Rodri‘s consistent high performance, even when not at his absolute peak. The coach stated that Rodri, even at 50 per cent, is superior to many other players. Rodri himself reflected on his recovery, asserting that his philosophy is to rise again after setbacks, aiming for new generations to view his example as an opportunity.

Source: standard.co.uk